1 Numbers and the number system
- Syllabus
- 2017
- Section
- 1
- Level
- Foundation

Published Concept pages under this syllabus area do not have tagged past-paper appearances in the selected level yet.
Recent 5 years
Topic 1.1
understand and use integers (positive, negative and zero)
understand place value
use directed numbers in practical situations e.g. temperatures
order integers
use the four rules of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
use brackets and the hierarchy of operations
use the terms ‘odd’, ‘even’, ’prime numbers’, ‘factors’ and ‘multiples’
identify prime factors, common factors and common multiples
Topic 1.2
understand and use equivalent fractions, simplifying a fraction by cancelling common factors and expressing it in its simplest form (lowest terms)
understand and use mixed numbers and vulgar fractions
identify common denominators
order fractions and calculate a given fraction of a given quantity
express a given number as a fraction of another number
use common denominators to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers
convert a fraction to a decimal or a percentage
understand and use unit fractions as multiplicative inverses
multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers
Topic 1.3
use decimal notation
understand place value
order decimals
convert a decimal to a fraction or a percentage Terminating decimals only
recognise that a terminating decimal is a fraction
convert recurring decimals into fractions
Topic 1.4
identify square numbers and cube numbers
calculate squares, square roots, cubes and cube roots
use index notation and index laws for multiplication and division of positive and negative integer powers including zero
express integers as a product of powers of prime factors
find highest common factors (HCF) and lowest common multiples (LCM)
understand the meaning of surds
manipulate surds, including rationalising a denominator
use index laws to simplify and evaluate numerical expressions involving integer, fractional and negative powers
Topic 1.5
understand the definition of a set
use the set notation ∪, ∩, ∈ and ∉, with E for the universal set and ∅ for the empty set
understand the concept of the universal set and the empty set and the symbols for these sets
understand and use the complement of a set, using the notation A'
use Venn diagrams to represent sets
understand sets defined in algebraic terms, and understand and use subsets; if A is a subset of B, use A ⊂ B
use Venn diagrams to represent sets and the number of elements in sets
use the notation n(A) for the number of elements in the set A
use sets in practical situations
Topic 1.6
Understand that a percentage is a number of parts per 100.
express a given number as a percentage of another number
express a percentage as a fraction and as a decimal
understand the multiplicative nature of percentages as operators
solve simple percentage problems, including percentage increase and decrease
use reverse percentages In a sale, prices were reduced by 30%. The sale price of an item was £17.50 Calculate the original price of the item
use compound interest and depreciation
use repeated percentage change Calculate the total percentage increase when an increase of 30% is followed by a decrease of 20%
solve compound interest problems
Topic 1.7
use ratio notation, including reduction to its simplest form and its various links to fraction notation Express in the form 1 : n
divide a quantity in a given ratio or ratios Share £416 in the ratio 5 : 3 or 4 : 3 : 1
use the process of proportionality to evaluate unknown quantities
Calculate an unknown quantity when quantities vary in direct proportion, including completing a value table.
solve word problems about ratio and proportion Including maps and scale diagrams
Topic 1.8
round integers to a given power of 10
round to a given number of significant figures or decimal places
identify upper and lower bounds where values are given to a degree of accuracy
Use estimation, including rounding values to one significant figure, to evaluate numerical approximations.
Solve upper- and lower-bound problems when values are given to a stated degree of accuracy.
Topic 1.9
calculate with and interpret numbers in the form a × 10ⁿ, where n is an integer and 1 ≤ a < 10
solve problems involving standard form
Topic 1.10
use and apply number in everyday personal, domestic or community life
Carry out calculations using metric units of mass, length, area, volume and capacity.
Carry out calculations with time and money, including currency conversion.
Topic 1.11
Use a scientific electronic calculator to determine numerical results.